Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.21857/yvjrdcwe7y
Small pond, big insight: assessment of recapture probabilities and migration dynamics of passerines in the northern Adriatic karst landscape
Louie Taylor
orcid.org/0000-0003-3835-3744
; Institute of Ornithology, Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts
Ivan Budinski
; Association Biom
Biljana Ječmenica
; Croatian Veterinary Institute
Iva Šoštarić
; Association Biom
*
* Corresponding author.
Supplements: 02 Taylor - Suppl data.pdf
Abstract
Stopover sites are important for migratory birds to rest and restore
their fat reserves. In this study, we analysed the autumn stopover period
and recapture probability of the most commonly captured bird species
that migrate through and reside around the Rovozna pond in Učka
Nature Park. Between 2015 and 2024, 12,943 individuals of the target
species were ringed at the ringing camp in Učka, Croatia. The most frequently
captured species were the European Robin Erithacus rubecula,
Eurasian Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla, and Eurasian Blackbird Turdus merula.
Analyses also included Common Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita,
early long-distance migrants, and locally breeding tit species. Robins,
Blackcaps, and Chiffchaffs captured earlier in the season exhibited prolonged
stopover durations, indicating that the site could be an important
stopover or possibly an early wintering area for these species. However,
these species also showed low apparent recapture probabilities in
the years following ringing. Early long-distance migrants were caught
in high numbers until the beginning of September, exhibited higher fat
scores, and remained in the area for shorter periods. In contrast, resident
species remained in the area throughout the entire period and showed
the highest recapture probabilities among all species analysed.
Keywords
bird ringing; fat score; capture-recapture; stopover duration
Hrčak ID:
337805
URI
Publication date:
10.11.2025.
Visits: 606 *